October 18th - This Date in Wine History

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Wine has a long established history of being our drink of choice for celebrating, entertaining, and savoring life; but it didn't start out that way. From the invention of the barrel to the designation of the separate viticultural areas, wine has a long and sorted history.  In our daily feature "This Date In Wine History," we share an event of critical importance in wine history.

  • Abraham van Riebeeck, Dutch merchant and Governor-General of the Dutch East Indies was born in 1653 in what is now South Africa.  His father, Jan van Riebeeck, the founder of Cape Town produced the first known wine in South Africa.

  • Flemish painter Jacob Jordaens died in 1678.  His painting, The King Drinks is a celebration of food, wine and merriment among family.

  • Mike Ditka, famed Chicago Bear player and coach was born in 1939.  He partnered with Terlato Wines to produce Mike Ditka Wines.

  • California's Benmore Valley AVA was designated in 1991.

  • Vincent DeDomenico died in 2007.  He was an inventor of Rice-A-Roni and the founder of the Napa Valley Wine Train.